Cable connector contact

ABSTRACT

A non-destructible electrical connecting cable system or dangle for a rotary electroplating barrel, wherein one end of such cable is inserted into the barrel at its axis of rotation to provide a cathode within the electroplating barrel and the opposite end of the cable is provided with a spherical contact universally swivable in a supporting collar clamp, so that if the cable becomes snagged with parts tumbling in the rotating barrel, the normally stationary cable will twist in the manner of a flexible cable and free itself and will not break off and will continuously transmit electrical energy even while being twisted, so that the plating operation continues for its programmed cycle without damaging the parts being plated.

United States Patent [191 Belke I 1 [451 Sept. 3, 1974 CABLE CONNECTOR CONTACT [75] Inventor: Ralph E. Belke, Oak Park, Ill.

[73] Assignee: Belke Manufacturing Company,

Chicago, Ill.

[22] Filed: Jan. 2, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 320,322

[52] US. Cl. 204/279, 204/213, 339/5 R,

, 339/8 R [51] Int. Cl 801k 3/00 [58] 'Field of Search 339/5 R, 5 A, 8 R, 256 R; 204/213, 279

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS I 2,249,609 7/1941 Jackson 204/213 2,919,420 12/1959 Snodgrass et a1... 339/8 R 3,152,060 10/1964 Belke 204/213 3,675,187 7/1972 Christman 339/256 R FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,940,043 3/1971 .Germany. 204/213 Primary Examiner-George H. Krizmanich Attorney, Agent, or Firm-John J. Kowalik 57 ARSTRACT A non-destructible electrical connecting cable system or dangle for a rotary electroplating barrel, wherein one end of such cable is inserted into the barrel at its axis of rotation to provide a cathode within the electroplating barrel and the opposite end of the cable is provided with a spherical contact universally swivable in a supporting collar clamp, so that if the cable becomes snagged with parts tumbling in the rotating barrel, the normally stationary cable will twist in the manner of a flexible cable and free itself and will not break off and will continuously transmit electrical energy evenlwhile being twisted, so that the plating operation continues for its programmed cycle without damaging the parts being plated.

6 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures CABLE CONNECTOR CONTACT BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Rotatable electroplating barrels are known in the art, and, as is further known in the art, such barrels are useful for electroplating a diverse variety of items. Generally, such barrels are provided with a mesh screen type surface, having a mesh sufficiently small enough to accommodate the particular articles to be electroplated therein. The barrel is provided with an electrolyte solution and electrical energy is supplied to thereby permit the electroplating process to proceed and electroplate the articles placed therein. It is known to be desirable to provide electroplating barrels of the type wherein the electrical cable extending within the barrel is completely free to rotate in response to the rotational movement of the barrel to insure good electrical current within the barrel while preventing damage to the cable. I

In keeping with the above ideal, an improved rotary electroplating barrel is disclosed in US. Pat. No. 3,152,060 which issued to William E. Belke and assigned to the assignee of the present invention. In the aforementioned patent, there is disclosed an electroplating-barrel assemblywhich is provided with an electroconductive cable which is insulated and connected to the barrel in such manner as to provide electrical current through a spider assembly to a plurality of bars on the outside of the barrel, and from the bars to the electrodes on the inside of the barrel. The cable which is provided is adapted to rotate as the barrel is rotated, such construction thereby permitting the provision of electrical energy without the necessity of having dangling conductors extending into the barrel. Such dangling conductors are shown in US. Pat. No. 3,159,560 issued to R. E. Belke and assigned to the assignee of the present invention. As disclosed therein, the cables are disposed within the barrel by inserting the cable through an aperture appropriately provided and presumably permitting the barrel to rotate without at the same time binding the cable as the barrel rotates.

One of the difficulties which has still been experienced in connection with the type of electroconductive cable and contact provided by US. Pat. No. 3,152,060 is the fact that the cable continues to bind up as the electroplating barrel rotates, whereby it is necessary to discontinue the electroplating process in order to adjust or exchange the cable. Due to the binding of cable incident to rotation of the barrel and cable, the'cable can become damaged thereby requiring replacement and resulting in down time of the electroplating machinery. Furthermore, should the cable become damaged during electroplating, there is the danger that the articles being electroplated will receive an inadequate coating thereby necessitating that the article either be discarded or that the electroplating process be repeated. I

OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES It is therefore one of the principal objects of the present invention to provide an improved electrical connecting cable system for use in connection with rotary electroplating barrels which functions to rotate in'response to the rotary movement of the electroplating barrel while at the same time eliminating the problem of cable bind-up.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an improved cable connector contact of the type including an'electroconductive cable having a free end for insertion in the rotatable electroplating barrel and an opposed end terminating in a spherical contact, a collar clamp for retaining and engaging the spherical contact, and means for biasing the spherical contact into constant electrical communication with the collar clamp thereby to restrain the spherical contact from riding out of engagement with the collar clamp and causing potential binding such that an electrical power source applied to the spherical contact is transmitted through the electroconductive cable to the electroplating barrelon a constant basis.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an improved cable connector contact of the type described above,wherein the collar clamp includes a ring disposed interiorly with respect to the collar clamp, the ring being provided with an arcuate surface substantially symmetrical with the arcuate surface of the spherical contact thereby to permit the spherical contact to ride easily on such arcuate surface of the ring=within the collar clamp as the cable rotates.

In connection with the foregoing object, it is still another object of the present invention to provide an improved cable connector contact of the type described which further includes a biasing plate which overrides and restrains the spherical contact thereby to arrestthe spherical contact within the collar clamp and ensure that the spherical contact will ride on the arcuate surface of the ring disposed within the collar clamp as the electroplating barrel rotates in such manner that the cable may be rotated. at any speed without causing a concomitant bind-up in the cable;

In connection withthe foregoing objects, it is yet another object of this invention to 'provide an improved cable connector contact of the type described wherein the spherical contact is provided with a flat head along the top surface thereof, such that the flat surface of the spherical contact mates with the flat surface of the biasing plate, thereby to further ensure that the spherical contact will be restrained in arrested position with respect to the collar clamp and positively insure that the spherical contact remains in riding contact with the collar clamp, and more specifically, the arcuate surface of the ring disposed with the arcuate clamp.

Further features of the invention pertain to the particulararrangement of the parts whereby the aboveoutlined and additional operating features thereof are obtained.

The invention, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof will best be understood by reference to the following specification taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view partly in crosssection, of an electroplating barrel assembly employing the improved cable connector contact of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view, partly in crosssection, showing the electroconductive cable used in connection with a rotatable electroplating barrel having one end disposed within the barrel and improved cable connector contact of the present invention at its opposed end; 7

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view, partly in crosssection, showing the arrangement of the improved spherical contact in restrained position within the collar clamp;

FIG, 4 is a perspective view showing the improved spherical contact of the present invention disposed within the collar clamp in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view showing the spherical contact in restrained position within the collar clamp and with the biasing means so disposed as to arrest and retain the spherical contact in riding communication with the collar clamp.

Referring now to FIG; 1 of the drawings, there is shown an electroplating barrel assembly, generally referred to by the numeral 10, including an electroplating barrel 12. The barrel is provided with a pair of end walls 14 supporting hexagonal side walls 16, formed by a sheet of appropriate material having been bent atthe corners 18, 20, 22 and 24, and terminating at edges 26 and 28 forming a open side 29. The open side 29' is closed with a cover 30 which is'so constructed as to permit easy'access to the interior of the barrel 12for insertion and removal of parts to be electroplated.

Mounted exteriorly of the end wall 14 is a toothed wheel 32, which in turn supports a drive belt 34 which is notched as at 36 thereby to mesh with the toothed wheel 32. Overlying the toothed wheel 32 is a saddle plate 38 which supports a pair of bus bars 40 adjacent the upper portion thereof and is .provided with'a cable receiving aperture 42 adjacent the lower portion thereof. The saddle plate 38 also supports a ball bearing assembly 44 which in turn, supports a horizontal shaft 46 having a notched pulley 48 mounted thereon for carrying a portionof the notched drive belt 34. Interiorly of the saddle plate 38. and adjacent the lower portion thereof, the barrel 12 is mounted for rotational movement by means of a bearing assembly 50.

In operation, a motor (not shown)v is mounted positionally so as to cause rotational movement of the horizontal shaft 46. This movement causes a corresponding movement of the notched pulley 48 and hence, moves the notched drive belt 34. The notched drivebelt 34, in turn, causes rotational movement of the toothed wheel 32 and the barrel 12 to accomplish the necessary movement incident ,toelectroplating the pieces or parts placed in the barrel 12.

Electroplating barrels of the type and construction described hereinabove, as well asvarious modifications thereof are known in the art. US. Pat. No. 3,152,060 owned by the assignee of the present invention, shows an improved electroplating barrel and describes the mechanics thereof in greater detail. The particular construction of the electroplatingbarrel is not deemed to be within the scope of the present invention.

As is known in the art, a source of electrical energy bind and twist the cable as it rotates, but rather, presumably permits the barrel to rotate about the cable.

However, it has been found that, in practice, as the barrel rotates, the cable will in fact bind and twist causing the cable to wear rapidly requiring replacement. In addition, the possibility definitely exists that should the cable wear through, the electroconductive core thereof could become exposed and present the danger of electrical shock to persons located in and about the apparatus. One proposed system for obviating this problem is shown in the aforementioned US. Pat. No. 3,152,060.

As disclosed therein, the cable is fixedly secured to a spider at its lower end, the spider in turn energizing buttons interiorly of the barrel, while the opposed end of the cable isarrested within a cylindrical bore of a stirrup. Hence, as the barrel rotates, the upper end of the cable is expected to freely rotate in the bore of the stirrup. However, even with such improved systems, it has been found that, in fact, the cable will snag and then bind and twist causing a rapid wearing of the cable, and presenting the difficulties and dangers mentioned hereinabove.

I The present invention provides an improved electrical connecting cable system for use with a rotary electroplating barrel, which is flexible enough to permit the loose end of the cable to dangle freely in the barrel, while supporting and arresting the opposed end of the cable in spaced relation from the electrolyte solution tem of the present invention permits the free rotation of the cable in response to the rotational movement of the barrel while assuring constant electrical contact is available and supplied to the apparatus for the purv positioned in the barrel through apertures disposed in i the saddle plate 38 and the barrel 12. These apertures are presumably of sufficiently large dimensions and enough slack provided so that the barrel 12 does not and avoids any binding or twisting of the cable during use.

With reference to FIGS. 2 through 5 of the drawings, the improved electrical connecting cable system generally referred to by the numeral 55 is illustrated; There is provided a cable 57 which may be a flexible stranded conductor cable, covered with a rubber insulation sleeve 59. The end 61, of the cable 57 is brazed, and extending upwardly therefrom is an annular collar 63 formed of an electroconductive metallic material. As will be seen in FIG. 2 of the drawings, the annular collar 63 may be fixedly secured to the brazed end 61 of the cable 57 by means of a threaded bolt 65 and a corresponding threaded receptacle. The upper end of the annular collar 63 terminates in a spherical contact 67 which is provided with a flat head 69 for a purpose to be more fully described hereinafter.

The spherical contact 67, in use, is held in supported and arrested position by means of a support collar generally illustrated by the'numeral 70. The support collar 70 is shown to comprise of a collar clamp 72 which has a circular configuration and is supported by means of a pair of attachment flanges 74. Each of the attachment flanges 74 includes an appropriate aperture 75 which accommodates a retention bolt 76 (FIG. 2) whereby the support collar 70 may be mounted upon any appropriate structure, such as the saddle plate 38.

The collar clamp 72 includes a central aperture 78,

which is defined by an electrically conductive ring 80.

The ring 80 is insulated from the collar clamp 72, by means of a layer of insulation 82, and hence, once the conductive ring 80 has been electrically energized, electrical energy may be transmitted to the spherical contact 67 and hence to the cable 57 and into the electroplating barrel 12 via the dangler end of the cable 57.

The spherical contact 67 is held in riding engagement with the electrically conductive ring 80 by means of a biasing plate 82. The biasing plate 82 is shown to be formed by an attachment flange 83 which is attached to the rear portion of the support collar 70 via bolt 84. Extending upwardly and outwardly from the attachment flange 82 is a support wall 85 which terminates at its upper portion with a laterally outwardly extending pressure plate 86. The pressure plate 86 overrides the spherical contact 67 and hence, retains the spherical contact 67 in riding communication with the electrically conductive ring 80 bymerely exerting downward pressure thereon. In order to prevent the rear or undersurface of the pressure plate 86 from rubbing against the flat head 69 of the spherical contact 67, there is provided a spacer element 88 which, in the preferred embodiment, is formed from a high density polyethylene material which is anticorrosive as well as nonfrictional in characteristics. The spacer element 88 facilitates the rotational movement which is experienced by the spherical contact 67 due to the rotation of the electroplating barrel 12, when the same is in use. Hence, the spacer element 88 prevents metal to metal contact as between the pressure plate 86 and the flat head portion 69 of the spherical contact 67, thereby to provide smooth riding'contact of the spherical contact 67 within the ring 80.

It is clear that due to the configuration of the biasing plate assembly 82, the spherical contact 67 is held in constant riding contact with the electrically conductive ring 80 thereby to ensure that constant electrical contact is achieved and maintained. Hence, as the electroplating barrel 12 is caused to rotate when the apparatus is operational, and the cable 57 twists and turns, or rotates in response to the rotational movement of the barrel 12,-the spherical contact 67 is permitted to freely rotate in constant riding contact with the ring 80, thus ensuring against the cable binding and twisting during operation.

As shown in FIG. 2 of the drawings, the lower portion of the cable 57 extends into the electroplating barrel '12, through the cable receiving aperture 42, and

through the aperture provided in the end wall 14. In

order to ensure that the electrolyte solution does not exit through apertures 15 and 42respectively, a protective' sealing sleeve 90 is positioned about the cable 57 and within the aperture 42. The sleeve 90 is so constructed as to permit the cable 57 to move relatively easily as the barrel 12 rotates.

It is clear from the above description that there is provided by virtue of this invention an improved electrical connecting cable system for use with a rotary electroplating barrel which assures constant electrical contact as between the power source and the electroplating bath while at the same time permitting the free rotation of the electrical cable in response to the rotational movement of the barrel. By providing a spherical contact, which is restrained and arrested within a collar to which electrical energy is supplied, a constant supply of electrical energy into the electroplating barrel is assured. In addition, the spherical contact assures the maximum degree of freedom of rotation of the cable as the same rotates.

While the drawings and the above description illustrate one embodiment of a collar clamp for retaining and restraining the spherical contact portion of the cable, nevertheless, various forms and-constructions of said collars are feasible and within the scope of the present invention. The principal requirement is that the collar be so constructed as to provide an arcuate surface against which the spherical contact can ride, which may also be energized so as to transmit electrical energy from the interior portion of the collar clamp to the spherical contact and hence, through the cable into the barrel. It will further be appreciated that all of the above objects and advantages, as well as other objects and advantages, have been provided by virtue of the present invention. I

While there has been described what at present is considered to be the preferred embodiments of the invention, it will be understood that various modifications may be made therein and it is intended to cover in the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

' What is claimed is:

1. Improved electrical connecting cable system for use in connection with a rotary electroplating barrel comprising an electroconductive cable having a free end for communication with a rotatable electroplating barrel, the opposed end of said cable terminating in a spherical contact, a collar clamp for retaining and engaging said spherical contact, means for biasing'said spherical contact to retain the same in electrical communication with said collar clamp for conducting electrical power for transmitting electrical energy from said collar clamp and through said spherical contact and electroconductive cable for available use in the rotary electroplating barrel, said means for biasing said spherical contact comprising a biasing plate assembly including an attachment flange for securing said biasing plate assembly to said collar clamp, a support wall extending upwardly therefrom and terminating in a pressure plate overriding said spherical contact along the upper peripheral surface thereof, thereby to restrain said spherical contact within said collar clamp.

2. The electrical connecting cable system as set forth in claim 1 above, wherein said spherical contact includes a flat head positioned along the upper peripheral surface of said spherical contact whereby said pressure plate may ride inface to face contact with said flat head portion of said spherical contact. 7

3. The electrical connecting cable system as set forth in claim 1 above, which further includes a spacer element positioned intermediate between said flat head portion of said spherical contact and said pressure plate, said spacer element having non-frictional characteristics thereby to permit easy movement of said spherical contact with respect to said pressure plate.

4. The invention according to claim 1 and said collar clamp having a frusto-conical seat nesting said spherical contact therein.

5. The invention according to claim 1 and said flat head extending normal to the axis of said cable.

6. The invention according to claim 1 and said spherical contact having a cable attaching portion of generally cylindrical forrn loosely extending through an aperture in said collar clamp. 

1. Improved electrical connecting cable system for use in connection with a rotary electroplating barrel comprising an electroconductive cable having a free end for communication with a rotatable electroplating barrel, the opposed end of said cable terminating in a spherical contact, a collar clamp for retaining and engaging said spherical contact, means for biasing said spherical contact to retain the same in electrical communication with said collar clamp for conducting electrical power for transmitting electrical energy from said collar clamp and through saiD spherical contact and electroconductive cable for available use in the rotary electroplating barrel, said means for biasing said spherical contact comprising a biasing plate assembly including an attachment flange for securing said biasing plate assembly to said collar clamp, a support wall extending upwardly therefrom and terminating in a pressure plate overriding said spherical contact along the upper peripheral surface thereof, thereby to restrain said spherical contact within said collar clamp.
 2. The electrical connecting cable system as set forth in claim 1 above, wherein said spherical contact includes a flat head positioned along the upper peripheral surface of said spherical contact whereby said pressure plate may ride in face to face contact with said flat head portion of said spherical contact.
 3. The electrical connecting cable system as set forth in claim 1 above, which further includes a spacer element positioned intermediate between said flat head portion of said spherical contact and said pressure plate, said spacer element having non-frictional characteristics thereby to permit easy movement of said spherical contact with respect to said pressure plate.
 4. The invention according to claim 1 and said collar clamp having a frusto-conical seat nesting said spherical contact therein.
 5. The invention according to claim 1 and said flat head extending normal to the axis of said cable.
 6. The invention according to claim 1 and said spherical contact having a cable attaching portion of generally cylindrical form loosely extending through an aperture in said collar clamp. 